USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Career
Class:	Iris
Laid down:	21 May 1943
Launched:	20 July 1943
Commissioned:	27 March 1944
Cost to build:	$876,403
Builder:	Marine Ironworks and Ship Building Corporation, Duluth, MN
Decommissioned:	1980
Fate:	Sunk in Accident
General Characteristics
Displacement:	935 tons
Length:	180 feet
Beam:	37 feet
Propulsion:	1 electric motor connected to 2 Westinghouse generators driven by 2 Cooper-Bessemer diesel engines
Speed:	13 knots (Max)
Range:	8000 miles at 13 knots
Complement:	48
Armament:	Wartime: 1 x 3"/50 caliber single mount; 4 x 20 millimeter/80 caliber; 2 x depth-charge tracks; 2 mousetrap launchers (1944) Peacetime: None
Aircraft:	None
Motto:	Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

The USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180 foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Blackthorn's preliminary design was completed by the U.S. Light House Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403.

Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. All but one of the original tenders, the USCGC Ironwood (WLB-307), were built in Duluth.

Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California. She served in San Pedro for several years before being brought into the gulf coast region to serve in Mobile, Alabama.

In 1979-1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, FL. Sadly, while leaving Tampa, Bay on 28 January 1980, she collided with the tanker Capricorn. Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn capsized, killing 23 of crew. The cutter was raised for the investigation, but ultimately was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete.